A Devastating Loss – and a Path Forward
- frida@artyardbklyn.org
- Sep 18
- 9 min read
Updated: Sep 24
Dear Friends,
I write a bit early this week with a heavy heart. Early this morning (Thursday September 18, 2025), a devastating fire broke out in the building that housed our ART YARD BKLYN studio, storage, and archives. A significant part of the roof has collapsed, and everything inside our storage—artworks, supplies, tools, furniture, kitchen items, exhibition materials, and years of documentation—has been destroyed. We are in shock and mourning as we begin to grasp the magnitude of this loss.
And yet—we are moving forward with determination, creativity, and the full force of our community behind us.
Our incredible web of artists, educators, students, families, partners and supporters remains strong and connected. We have built something far greater than any one space or set of materials. We carry forward a long, rich history of creativity, justice, and joy—and that foundation cannot be burned down.
Thanks to the generosity of our friends we’ve secured a temporary new home for Tuesday night Advanced Studio. This immediate act of solidarity speaks to the deep bonds that make AYB more than an organization—we are a family.
Ways You Can Help Us Rebuild
In the days ahead, we will need your support to continue our work and sustain our community. Here are a few ways to stand with us:
Donate to help replace essential art materials, tools, storage, and kitchen supplies. You can give via GoFundMe or Venmo (@ARTYARDBKLYN). Every contribution brings us one step closer to a fully functioning studio.
Join us for our Annual Gala & Exhibition Opening!Let’s celebrate the strength and spirit of our community together:
Movers & Shakers
Saturday, November 22 | 6–9 PMThe Gallery at 180 Franklin Avenue, Brooklyn
Expect a vibrant night of artwork by AYB artists, delicious food and drink, live music, our own professional DJ Abby, raffles, tarot readings, art-making stations, and more! (Interested in helping plan? Join the Gala Committee—everyone’s welcome.)
Spread the Word – Share our story, fundraiser links, and upcoming events with your networks to help us reach new supporters.
While we’ve lost physical space and materials, the core of ART YARD BKLYN—our people, our vision, and our commitment—remains strong. This week’s Advanced Studio, led by Kevin Anderson, was a beautiful reminder of who we are and what we make possible together. Read on for a powerful recap of the session.
ADVANCED STUDIO
Zoom Session – Remembering Katrina through NOLA Folk Art
AYB Artist Neah Gray led a moving session marking the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Drawing from the folk art traditions of New Orleans, Neah introduced us to artists Rolland Golden and Clementine Hunter, whose works reflect themes of community, memory, and resilience. The session inspired deeply personal and reflective pieces, reminding us of art’s power to honor lived experience.
Neah elaborates: “This week’s art class centered on Hurricane Katrina—exploring the displacement it caused and its lasting impact on both the people and the city of New Orleans. Together, we reflected on how communities rebuild, how art holds memory, and how resilience takes shape through creativity.
Today, we were faced with our own unexpected challenge when a fire devastated our studio—the building we’ve long called our art home. Thankfully, everyone is safe, but many artworks, materials, and personal belongings were lost. This experience is a stark reminder of how quickly life can shift—and how deeply place and community shape us. Just as Katrina survivors carried both grief and strength in the wake of disaster, we too are reminded of the fragility of space—and of the power of art to help us process, heal, and move forward.
In class, we explored the work of Clementine Hunter and Rolland Golden, two Louisiana artists who used their art to tell visual stories of their home. Hunter’s early 20th-century folk art and quiltmaking reflect her experience growing up on a plantation as a Black woman. Golden’s later works capture the devastation and emotional toll Katrina had on New Orleans residents.
As we begin the year with the theme of Migration, I knew I wanted to focus on the involuntary displacement of New Orleans residents after Hurricane Katrina. This month marks 20 years since the storm—reviving conversations around government aid and the ongoing struggle to rebuild the city's culturally rich communities. In both Katrina’s story and our own, art becomes the vessel that carries us through disruption. It helps us process grief and gives us the courage to rebuild. Art bridges the gap between loss and hope.
Jacob’s piece this week depicted the grief, struggle, and desperation faced by those trapped in the Superdome. In 2005, the media wrongfully villainized people who were simply trying to survive—seeking food, help, and rescue. Twenty years later, we still see how media narratives can distort truth and demonize those affected by tragedy, racism, and genocide. Highlighting truth through art is a powerful act of historical preservation.
Adji’s piece, on the other hand, focused on hope—celebrating culture, authenticity, and the bright future that still lies ahead for New Orleans.
Both Hurricane Katrina and today’s fire, which destroyed our studio, remind us that while physical spaces may be lost or altered, the spirit of community and the power of creativity endure. Through art, we find a way to process the unthinkable, to honor what’s been lost, and to imagine what can be rebuilt.”
In Person at BWAC – Exploring Tessa Mars with Kevin Anderson
This week’s in-person Advanced Studio session in person was led by AYB Artist Kevin Anderson, who guided the group through a powerful exploration of the work of Haitian artist Tessa Mars. Known for her bold, narrative-rich works that confront the emotional and intellectual legacy of the Haitian Revolution, Mars served as both inspiration and challenge for the artists in our studio.
Kevin invited participants to create self-portraits that explored cultural identity and personal history, using Mars’ work as a springboard. “The purpose of this lesson was to create self-portraits that depict our cultural ties and our personalities,” Kevin shared. “Tessa Mars does this incredibly well by tying her portraits to Haitian culture. After seeing the art pieces everyone made, I could not have felt more proud.”
The studio buzzed with creative energy as artists engaged deeply with the material and the medium—many using pastels for the first time. Kevin observed:“What is immediately noticeable is that each artist used pastels in very different ways... different colors, blending techniques, and facial angles to capture themselves. What I appreciated the most was the usage of color: every artist incorporated at least two colors in their portraits, which added more to the stories of each piece. Color adds extra layers—through quantity, placement, and intention.”
Kevin’s own self-portrait started as a materials demonstration, confronted racial stereotypes and celebrated nuance and individuality: “My self-portrait was inspired by a common depiction of Black citizens—the perception that all Black people look the same. As I’ve learned more about Black history, I’ve come to realize how deeply racism is embedded in our society. I wanted my portrait to depict the nuances in Black skin, and show the beauty underneath.”
Reflecting on the experience, Kevin added: “I was challenged by Mars’ work... I often use references when creating my piece, only to realize that Mars’ pieces have surrealist elements, therefore not requiring much reference. Regardless, I was inspired to create a lesson tied to my West Indies culture and encourage the use of pastels. The challenge, however, did not matter to the other students. What I saw was a true reflection of who we are as a collective group: perseverance, joy, and creativity. I could not have asked for a better art group to be a part of.”
SCHOOL PROGRAMS
This week in ART YARD Art Matters at the Obama School, under the steady (see book balancing photos below) guidance of AYb Managing Director Dennis Buonagura Teaching Artists Leo Emabat and Lenika Silva led a truly inspiring week of artmaking with our young students, and the results are nothing short of breathtaking.
Dennis will recap soon. In the meantime, my take from the photos: Dennis kept students on their toes as he demonstrated how to balance their pizza drawings on their heads while singing “Here She Is, Miss America”. (And that, folks, is at the core of why we will always be that very special, not what you ever expected, magical opportunity to be your best self.)
Over the course of several days this week Dennis and Leo guided elementary school artists in the creation of their delicious tondos!
Leni recaps the next project: “As part of their ongoing celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, students created vibrant landscapes inspired by the iconic Mexican artist Frida Kahlo—drawing on her unique style and deep connection to the beauty of Mexico. Building on last week’s lesson about the monarch butterfly migration—a journey that takes these delicate creatures through Michoacán, Mexico—students imagined their butterflies soaring across sunlit hillsides and rich natural landscapes.
Using water-soluble wax pastels and colored pencils, they crafted stunning, imaginative scenes that are bursting with color and creativity. Next week, these young artists will take their work even further by creating blotted butterflies to accompany their landscapes—bringing their mixed media visions to life in joyful harmony.”
The artwork is not only gorgeous—it’s a testament to the power of early art education and to Leni and Leo’s extraordinary dedication and to AYB Managing Director Dennis Buonagura’s stupendous oversight. The palpable joy captured in the classroom photos is a powerful reminder that ART YARD Art Matters in the School.
Bravissimi to Dennis, Leni, Leo and these brilliant young artists!
OTHER ART NEWS
2025 Banned Book Trading Cards Now Available!
The much-anticipated 2025 Banned Book Trading Card deck has officially launched at the Valley Cottage Library! This year’s cards once again spotlight powerful, expressive works that challenge censorship and celebrate the freedom to read.
Lila’s beautifully written review (featured in last week’s recap) was shared with the library’s project coordinators, who responded with gratitude and admiration:
“You have been an incredible advocate for this project, and everyone you have sent in our direction has brought the same attention and enthusiasm to it.” – Katie
“What a fabulously written review ❤️ We are so grateful for the participation of Art Yard and appreciate the collaborative efforts. It belongs to all of us.” – Caroline
AYB Artist Mia Lew checks in from Rhode Island, where she’s diving into her first year at RISD! Mia shared a striking charcoal figure study that reflects both her growth and commitment to her craft. As always, we’re thrilled to hear from our artists near and far—AYB is an intergenerational community that supports creatives at every stage. Once you're part of the AYB family, you're always just a text away from the Mother Ship.
Drawings by Mia Lew, use arrows to scroll
AYB Artist Abriel (bob) Gardner writes about our recent visit to MoMA to view the visionary work of Hilma af Klint in What Stands Behind the Flowers: “Af Klint’s work spans many genres, styles, and ideas. Today, she is mostly known for her large-scale abstract paintings depicting symbols, patterns, and flowers. However, Hilma af Klint was also a master of landscape painting and botanical illustration. During her lifetime, she kept her abstract paintings a secret and requested that they only be shown 50 years after her death.
The MoMA exhibition What Stands Behind the Flowers primarily showcased her landscape and botanical illustrations, with a few of her more familiar abstract works included. Seeing Klint’s work in person is such a gift. While most of the paintings and drawings on display were more literal in subject matter, they still radiated spiritual symbolism and energy. The museum provided magnifying glasses so visitors could take a closer look at her notes and brushstrokes—she had incredible handwriting.
Klint’s deep understanding of spirituality, physics, and nature drives her paintings in a way that invites viewers to see reality from a different perspective. She uses color, pattern, and symbolism to move beyond the literal, presenting ideas on a more subatomic level. This viewpoint offers a deeper insight into the very foundations of existence. Hilma af Klint was far ahead of her time—and she knew it.
Hilma af Klint installed at MoMA, and Ajani looking at mushroom drawings. Photos by Meridith McNeal
Overall, I appreciated this show because it highlighted her less sensationalized, non-abstract work and focused more on the “mundane.” At first, it felt humble, but the more I reflect on it, the more I understand and appreciate Hilma af Klint’s practice and what she stood for as an artist.”
WHAT WE ARE READING
The Lost Spells (Anansi International, 2020) evokes the quiet wonder of the natural world around us, conjuring red foxes, birch trees, jackdaws, and more through lyrical poems and flowing watercolor illustrations. Robert Macfarlane’s spell-poems and Jackie Morris’s stunning artwork weave together to create summoning spells, charms of protection, and recollections that stay with the reader long after closing the book.
Meridith lent the book to Adji following her beautiful poetry-inspired summer sessions. Adji returned it this week, and now Leni is reading and loving it. The book's poetic style and vibrant illustrations are perfectly aligned with Adji’s sessions. Macfarlane, a visionary naturalist and wordsmith, writes for readers of all ages—making The Lost Spells a perfect fit for an intergenerational group like AYB.
Time for our own summoning spells, charms of protection.
Love goes to buildings on fire...
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